Distributive Conjunctions – Concept, Uses and Examples


We explain what distributive conjunctions are, how they are used and examples in sentences. Also, other coordinating conjunctions.

distributive conjunctions
Distributive conjunctions present the elements as possible options.

What are distributive conjunctions?

In grammar, a specific type of coordinating conjunctions is called distributive conjunctions or distributive links, that is, those that link in a non-hierarchical (and therefore interchangeable) way two or more phrases, words or sentences. This specific type of coordinating conjunctions it is characterized by generating a relationship of alternation of meaning (time, place or logic) between the linked elements.

To do this, the distributive conjunctions are placed before each element, repeatedly, presenting them as options possible in the specific context of the sentence, and thus distribute among themselves the meaning of what was said (hence their name). In general, these conjunctions are limited and in Spanish they tend to be: well well, now … now, Ora Ora, or be … be. One of them can also be considered the expression as much as.

Examples of distributive conjunctions

Here are some examples of sentences with the presence of this type of conjunctions:

  • I’ll be coming home soon be Boat, be By plane.
  • That couple is always fighting, now out of jealousy, now for money.
  • Well it might be cold, well maybe not.
  • Pray you ask for something, now You ask for something else.
  • Soldiers will go to war be what they like, be not.
  • His interests were very diverse: already chemistry, already physics, already the arts.
  • The shoes well they can be blue, well they can be red.
  • I like chocolate so much the one who is pure, What the one with milk.

Other coordinating conjunctions

In addition to distributive conjunctions, there are the following types of coordinating conjunctions:

  • Copulative conjunctions, which link two or more terms from an addition or accumulation relationship. For example: “We buy melons and watermelons for the salad “or” Haven’t you seen Pedro, neither to Jesus, neither Raquel? ”.
  • Disjunctive conjunctions, which introduce a mutually exclusive relationship between linked elements. For example: “I don’t know if traveling to China or better to India ”.
  • Adverse conjunctions, which introduce a relationship of opposition or contradiction between the linked terms. For example: “We have a large team, although very united”.
  • Explanatory conjunctions, that link elements that have the same meaning but different form, to insist on what was said or explain it better. For example: “Over time the continents drift, that is to say, they change position ”.